Teacher Lead

Position: Teacher Lead I
We are looking for passionate and dedicated childcare lead teachers who bring experience and heart to creating a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for toddlers and preschoolers.

POSITION SUMMARY: This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Teacher Lead I provides direction for the classroom and implements program curriculum while driving the development and growth of students through individualized student progress plans. The Teacher Lead I provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on the YMCA values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring.

This position is limited to the duration of the Preschool Program school session and subject to change based on local school trends.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Implements curriculum within the established guidelines.

Facilitate programming and curriculum within health and safety guidelines.

Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to providing opportunities for achievement and belonging while developing relationships among youth and within families.

Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities including ADA accommodations by leading the Teacher Assistant(s).

Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.

Cultivates positive relationships, conducts parent conferences, and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.

Maintains program site and equipment in a responsible and efficient way.

Maintains required program records including attendance and disciplinary actions.

Lead all classroom activities, behavioral management and give work instructions.

Ensure students can attend classes in flexible settings and environments.

Possess a passion for teaching early learning and working with youth.

Assist with special events for the students.

Play a role in securing gifts for the annual campaign.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

CDA Credential or associate degree in Early Childhood Education is required.

Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement is preferred.

Minimum of 2 years of experience is preferred.

Must have 12 continuing education units annually.

Required training completed within designated time of start:
Keeping your YMCA Safe, Daxko 100, Listen First, Bullying Management, Meet Sam, Behavior Management and 13 Baseline Trainings.

Certifications required within 30 days of hire: CPR/AED & First Aid and New Employee Orientation.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to relate and communicate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

Adept computer skills with Office 360 and Google Applications.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Team Leader):

The National YMCA Mission:

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Mission Advancement:
Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.

Collaboration:

Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Operational Effectiveness:
Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth:
Shares new insights. Facilitates change/ models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
• Must have a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; occasionally stoop/bend.
• Maintain a neat and professional appearance at all times.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Must demonstrate initiative and sound judgment.